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Friday, December 9, 2016

In July, MajikVixen reported on the Lindo virtual flowers game designed by Sofistik. Recently a reader brought up some concerns about possible problems. Majik went to Sofistik to bring up the mentioned issues, and the game's maker responded.

Last Saturday, Bay City, Second Life's largest urban area, had their annual Christmas-themed party, the "Tree Lighting." There was music dancing, a Linden among the crowd, a "silent auction" to help raise funds for a children's charity, and of course the Christmas tree.

Christmas means presents, so Mylie Foxclaw decided to look for a few fashion items offered by designers for free either as part of a store hunt, or simply as gifts for their shoppers. She found a variety that made for some interesting styles, from the casual to the elegant.

For quite some time, the "Feral Furry" theater has been a feature at the Sunweaver Estates. But it's been a relatively simple design: a sky platform with a screen and a few seats. But Felina Firmi recently decided to give the place a makeover, so it looks more like a real theater, with posters decorating the exterior. You don't need to buy a ticket at the booth, though.

The place is more than just movies. In the lobby, there's a small arcade of video games. One has to have the right edition of flash installed to play them. Most are from the 1980s, such as Outrun and Q-Bert, though there's a "Bejeweled Blitz" machine with the noted handheld ap game and a "Fix-It-Felix" game that came about only after the "Wreck-It-Ralph" movie about video games did well in the theaters. So it's a bit poetic that Felina put that last game here. This marks the first gaming arcade at the Sunweaver community since the closing of Club Fur.

There's a small projection room with the camera, though most will want to see the movie from the seats. Rather than the packed rows of traditional theaters, the arrangement is more relaxed, with seating around tables mixed in with single-person seats.

Felina is proud of her work, and is looking forward to movie night on Sunday when a number of her neighbors will gather to see the weekly pair of films. One of the two films will be the annual showing of "The Star Wars Holiday Special."

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Today, the 2016 Winter Showcase and Winter Art Show begins. Taking place in Meadow gardens, the event will raise funds for Team Diabetes of Second Life. Gemma Cleanslate got an early peek at the exhibits from many artists, and there are also shops if anyone wants to get a friend something for Christmas.

It was a little more than a week ago when Linden Lab increased the prim allowance of private sims from 15,000 to 20,000. For those who want still more, yesterday on Wednesday December 7, Linden Lab began offering the option to further expand it to 30,000, a 50% increase. But there will be a price. The sim owner will need to pay a $30 USD fee, plus a $30 USD fee every month.

Starting today, Full Private Region
owners now have the option to upgrade to an even more impressive 30,000
prims! That’s an additional 50% more room for creating, decorating, designing your own store - whatever you can dream up!

To request an upgrade, pleasesubmit a case through the support portal on the Second Life website under the case type Land & Region > Land Impact Change Request.

In the case of residential sims where the owners rent out parcels, most will likely request the increase in further capacity only if the renters are willing to pay for more. In the case of the Purrfection Estates, Nydia Tungsten is currently asking the renters how they feel about ding so. No doubt there are similar discussions going on between renters and estate owners across Second Life.

Team Diabetes of Second Life is proud to present for the second year in a row, the 2016 Winter Showcase and Art Show! This event will take place from December 8 to December 18 and will include ten days of live djs, performers, tribute concerts, 2D & 3D art; contests, two hunts, photos with Santa, ice skating, ice fishing, fundraising and more!

Models Giving Back, which is ran by Jamee Sandalwood, will produce a special winter themed fashion show, where participating merchants will show off their winter fashions and creations. Entertainment will be provided by DJ’s Gabrielle Riel, Mia Deluca, Sandie Loxingly, Veruca Tammas, Paradox Messmer, and Johannes1977 Resident; live performers SarahMarie Philly and Ceci Dover, Bad Amp Tribute Bands, Whymsee, Elysium Cabaret, DRUM, and a special TSB Orchestra performance!

About Team Diabetes of Second life

Team Diabetes of Second Life is an official and authorised fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Association in Second Life. Established with the aim of raising funds in support of diabetes treatment and to raise awareness of the disease in SL, Team Diabetes of Second Life was founded by Jessi2009 Warrhol and John Brianna (Johannes1977 Resident), and is served by an advisory board comprising Eleseren Brianna, Veruca Tammas, Sandie Loxingly, Rob Fenwitch, Earth Nirvana and Dawnbeam Dreamscape, with Saiyge Lotus serving as a special advisor.

About The American Diabetes Association:
The American Diabetes Association’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The American Diabetes Association leads the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fights for those affected by diabetes by funding research to prevent, cure, and manage diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association delivers services to hundreds of communities and provides objective and credible information and resources about diabetes.

Free resources are available in English and Spanish at http://www.diabetes.org and 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2382).

Alysabelle, whom has sent us some well-done reader submissions in the past is back with another. In her most recent article, she writes about the stage play "Cheap Thrills" by La Performance. But the play was anything but "cheap," aside from that they asked for no money from the audience. The performers spent weeks in rehearsals, and it showed. The play will continue to January.

Deaflegacy recently interviewed Selador Cellador, a classical music DJ. In real life, his past accomplishments include being a published author and being a real life musician. But real life health issues mean the latter has become too difficult. Playing at the Classical Circle Ballroom, and other places, Selador has been gaining a number of fans.

With two sims recently brought back from the virtual nether, how likely is it the memorial will be back? In my opinion, iffy as unlike the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Oahu wasn't a memorial sim, but a residential sim with a memorial. It is possible Linden Lab might contact the owner and find a place for the memorial without having to bring back a whole sim. But then again, Mont Saint Michael was looking like it was lost for good a few months ago.

Kain Scalia, also known as Maus Merryjest, recently send the SL Newser a reader submission about a tale from his early days in Second Life ten years ago. It was one of those stories in which at the time he was terrified, but now he can look back at it and laugh. In his first experiment with scripting, he tried to make a virtual pet that would follow him, and anyone else, around. What could possibly go wrong, he felt. As it turned out, the answer was "plenty."

Four years later, the building still stands. Some things around it have changed, such as the road and the rental office/lingerie shop across it. And there's been a few small decorations added, and "Chilly" the Firekitty office cat. But it's still our center of operations.

If you want to see the place for yourself, drop by at HV Community (140, 85, 25). And if you're around on Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday, drop by Club Cutlass to the southwest.

Monday, December 5, 2016

Jadyn Firehawk, whom made news in the recent past as the creator of Virtual Yosemite sim and was recently interviewed by Deaflegacy, recently sent the Newser an article of her own. She wanted to highlight Sandi Glas, the owner of Clairehaven Estates, whom four years ago helped out the Pixel to Pixel Foundation when they suddenly found themselves without a home. To Jadyn, the incident was a reminder that sometimes the people who help out the most are the quiet ones.

Grease Coakes recently got a new DJ gig at a place called Club Planet Serenity. The club has something of a sci-fi feel with it's bright colors and the dance floor split into hexagons that light up when you step on them. The sim has more than just the club, there's also a community called Serenity Woods.

Yesterday, the Avi Choice Awards, hosted by Trader Whiplash and Nuala Maracus, were held for the final time. There were many dozens of categories from the practical to the artistic that were given three categories: Fashion, the Arts, and SLife. Among the winners were ...

Favorite Sim to Explore - Madpea by Kiana Writer

Favorite Hunt Organizer - Madpea

Favorite Place to Take a Date - Calas Galadhon Park by Tymus Tenk and Truck Merideth

Favorite Second Life Group - Builders Brewery

Favorite Recorded Show - Drax Files by Draxtor Despress

Favorite Machinima Artist/Videographer - Bryn Oh

Favorite Artist - Bryn Oh

Favorite Art Gallery - Rose Theater by Kaya Angel

Favorite Dance Troupe - Guerilla Burlesque by Chrybind Scribe

Favorite Pop Singer - Macamillion Kleene

Favorite Radio DJ - Trader Whiplash

There were some surprises. The "Favorite Annual Event" was the Hair Fair by Sasy Scarborough, which beat the RFL Fantasy Faire, and the better known Relay for Life season and the Second Life Birthday celebration. Another surprise was "Favorite Magazone, Newspaper, or Periodical," which was won by "Love to Decorate" which beat out the better known Second Life Enquirer, Prim Perfect, the Best of Second Life, and the Second Life Newser.

The mystery map artist of Raglan Shire has struck again. But this time there's nothing rib-poking about this latest stunt. Earlier this month, there was one, then a second, map pranking. But this third incident described by Linn Darkwatch on Facebook a few days ago was a simple "Merry Wootmas" message over the Raglan Galaxy sim. In a message to me, Linn called the artist the "Merry Prankster."

This stunt came at the same time Raglan's Winterfest event, or "Wootmas" as the Raglanders are calling it, was starting. "Wootmas Cheers all! The 10th Annual WinterFest on Raglan Shire is here & it’s a Wonderland of Snowy Crunchy fun for the season! The decorating of the tree! Sekret Santa™! The 12 Days of Wootmas™! Skating at the pond! Skiing! Sledding! Ice Ball crashing! Keep an eye out for The All New Ski Lift! A new way to get up & down the Mountain but a word of warning… Beware the Yeti!!" Also among their "winter stuff" was an"All New Tree Topper Contest and the Winter Hut Contest" and a "snowball throw."

No doubt the tinies of Raglan are determined to have a merry little Christmas, or "Wootmas."

Saturday, December 3, 2016

The Christmas Expo is open! The regions look absolutely gorgeous dressed
for winter. The shops are reminiscent of a village setting in some parts and in
others the urban streets of a fashion city. This year there are roaming horse
carriages so if you get tired you can take a relaxing tour all around the four
sims.

The shops are filled with not only decor for your sim or home but wonderful
outfits for this season and any other where you hang out for warmth. There will
be events all week This is a event to raise money for the Relay For Life of the
American Cancer Society. After shopping you can stop over to the attached region
for the Society that is chuck full of information about the work being done all
over the globe to end the threat of cancer once and for all.

Be sure to
stop over to Santa’s site to have your picture taken with him. He will be in his
char at the top of every hour with his elves hanging out and then you might find
him anywhere on the regions roaming and taking requests for gifts.

“Pick your
spot in the snowman building area and start rolling that snow. Simple,
fancy, classic, wild… it is up to you what you do with your 30 prims.You have
from Dec 1 – 5 to build your snowman, voting is held December 7 – 11 and
winners are announced on Sunday, Dec 11, 2016, 1pm SLT at a special party
in the Snowman Building area featuring live singer Suzen Juel Resistance.There
are 2 categories – Judges Picks and the Popular Vote, which is determined
by donations to the Relay For Life Kiosk beside your snowman. 100% proceeds goes
to Relay For Life of Second Life.” There were a myriad of fun Santas last year ,
some not so traditional, so be as creative as you like!Be sure to look for
‘Stocking stuffers’ that have gifts from the merchants. There are raffles,
auctions, gotchas and so much more. The christmas Tree lot has some wonderful
trees for your home. The Breedables Auction will be s silent auction which is a
new approach this year. Don‘t miss the Advent wreath by the Winter Cafe
where the many parties will be taking place.

“Winter Writers Story Contest: Join us on a literary journey this Christmas
Expo with the Winter Writing Contest. The contest will feature two branches-
Poetry and Story-Telling. You are invited to write a small story or poem within
a Winter theme that may relate to your experience with cancer. You may choose to
write about a survivor, a journey of treatment, a memorial to a loved and lost
one, or whatever your heart and fingers tell you to express. “There is
a form to use with all the directions on the website . https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWQ1BaB-xtTIkxQBNoPp110JB1nULIgElPPZnBUO4MYH-WoA/viewform

Sunnies/Islanders: I went around and upgraded every ones rent boxes to reflect the new level of prims you get based on the extra prims each sim got. Each 512m lot gets 156 prims now, That is a nice boost and it's free! Those of you with large parcels got HUGE bumps in prims, ENJOY! The ER will be open for Prim OD's 24 hours for the next several days.

That evening, Rita told me she had finished in the morning, thinking originally each lot would get 152 more prims, but instead they got 156, "It was hefty upgrade per lot."

There have been a few people asking why the private sims get less of an increase than the mainland ones did earlier this month, as well as it coming later. The general feeling of those I've talked to feel Linden Lab is trying to encourage people to move to the mainland. But most are simply happy with being able to do more with their land.